The document was signed by representatives of the defense ministries of Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria. The aim of the agreement is to combat the mine threat in the Black Sea more effectively.
On Thursday, January 11, three countries from the NATO bloc (Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria) signed a memorandum of understanding on a joint operation to clear mines in the Black Sea. In this respect reports Turkish Ministry of Defense press service.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the “Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Force” or MCM Black Sea was signed by Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Romanian Minister of Defense Angel Tilvar and Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov.
Güler said, “We decided to sign a joint memorandum of understanding between the three countries in order to combat the mine threat in the Black Sea more effectively by improving our close cooperation and coordination.”
In response, the Romanian minister said that Moscow’s aggression and disregard for international law created a problem not only in the Black Sea region, but also on a more global scale. Tilvar expressed his hope for the future partnership of NATO riparian countries in ensuring the security of the Black Sea and Euro-Atlantic region.
As Defense Express observers noted on this occasion, plans for joint operations of these countries were discussed last year, and the signing of the memorandum is only the first step towards the implementation of the plans.
As for the technical aspect of the issue, experts said that the countries party to the agreement can use nearly 20 minesweepers, the most advanced of which is the Aydın-class Turkish minesweeper. There are only six such machines. Romania can also provide the Sandown minesweeper, which was previously part of the British Navy.
Important
We have previously quoted the words of Andrei Ryzhenko, first-rank reserve captain of the Ukrainian Navy, regarding the mine danger in the Black Sea. According to him, it will take many years to completely clear the water area from mines, and several months to clear the ports, as well as trade and transport routes, from mines.
Source: Focus
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